AP Biology Enzymes and Energy

Front

What is entropy?

Back

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system, and it always increases when energy is transformed.

Front

What are anabolic pathways?

Back

Anabolic pathways are metabolic pathways that consume energy to build complex molecules from simpler ones, such as building polymers from monomers.

Front

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Back

At low temperatures, enzyme activity declines due to decreased kinetic motion, which reduces the frequency of enzyme-substrate collisions.

Front

What is the difference between endergonic and exergonic reactions?

Back

Endergonic reactions require energy input (energy is captured), while exergonic reactions release energy (energy is released).

Front

What characterizes an exergonic reaction?

Back

An exergonic reaction is characterized by a net release of free energy, making it spontaneous.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in metabolic pathways?

Back

Enzymes act as catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in metabolic pathways without being consumed in the process.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

What is the relationship between free energy and spontaneity?

Back

A reaction is spontaneous if it results in a decrease in free energy (negative change in Gibbs free energy).

Front

What is a substrate in enzymatic reactions?

Back

A substrate is the reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Front

What happens to enzymes at high temperatures?

Back

At high temperatures, enzymes may denature, losing their functional shape and activity.